OWN PAINKILLER
pain relief straight to the nerves in the spine. This would get me off the 500 painkillers I take a month.
“The NHS have told me this pump is only available for cancer patients and not those with chronic pain and, when I asked about faster treatments for ex-forces, I was told there was none.
“My rheumatologist has told me that the only option I have is to have this pump fitted privately but this would cost thousands of pounds, which I cannot afford on my war pension.
“I asked the MoD for help and was told they do not provide financial help for medical conditions even though it is covered by my war pension.”
Former corporal Allan served with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards for 17 years, completing tours in the Gulf and Bosnia.
He was medically discharged in 2004 before getting a job as an aircraft refueller at Glasgow Airport.
He added: “I managed as best I could with the job but my Crohn’s got a lot worse and I have ended up having surgery four times on my bowel.
“Now over the past eight years, the biggest complication from my Crohn’s is debilitating joint pain all over and it got so bad that I had to give up work in 2015.
“Since then, my Crohn’s has caused me to have fibromyalgia and additional chronic pain that limits anything I do on a daily basis.
“I receive a war pension from the Army and have a disability vehicle as I am in so much pain I’m registered disabled.
“I am only 49 and have a young son of 11 who I have to constantly disappoint by not doing things as I am in too much pain or too tired.
“People need to know how our ex-servicemen and women are still struggling to get any sort of treatment from the NHS or being told to pay for it themselves.
“Even after eight years of increasing pain, I am being told nothing can be done, probably until the painkillers do me more damage than good. I need some sort of help to bring to light the need for this pump for sufferers of chronic pain.”
Ex-Army sergeant Calum MacLeod, who runs the veterans charity Who Dares Cares, said: “It’s a disgrace that someone serves their country and is then just cast aside when they need help the most.”
John Burns, NHS Ayrshire and Arran chief executive, said: “We can’t comment on individual concerns regarding care and treatment and would urge Mr MacAulay to contact the board so that we can discuss his concerns.” BY CHRIS HUGHES DEFENCE chiefs will donate thousands of unused ration packs to help combat “food poverty” among the poor, homeless and the elderly.
Unused rations will be given to FareShare, an organisation giving food to nearly 10,000 UK charities, including community groups, homeless hostels and lunch groups for the elderly.
The high-calorie packs keep 10 soldiers going for 24 hours and include breakfast, lunch and dinner meals like porridge, sausages, baked beans, pasta and rice.
They offer as many as 4000 calories to sustain an active person over 24 hours. Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans Tobias Ellwood said: “Ration packs help provide nutritionally balanced meals to our armed forces on operations around the world.
“But charity begins at home and I’m pleased our partnership with FareShare will make sure no food goes to waste.
“FareShare do a fantastic job redistributing food across the country and I’m proud the military can support communities in this way.”
About two million ration packs are used by the military every year, with less than one per cent of the MoD’s stock requiring disposal.
The ration packs handed over to FareShare are from that one per cent but perishable items or those hitting their “use by” date are taken out of the stockpile and destroyed.
The operational ration pack provides a two-course breakfast, lunch and a three-course dinner, as well hot and cold drinks.
Roger West, of the MoD’s Logistic Delivery Operating Centre, said: “I’m delighted to be able to provide support for this important issue and help in some way to tackle food poverty.
“This solution will deliver food products where they are needed while also minimising waste. Our corporate social responsibility is important to us and we continue to explore ways to do more – this is the right thing to do.”